4.5 Stars for this amazing book.

Phoenix is headed to a family summer camp and it's the last place she wants to be. Her friends are all headed to the beach for their last summer before graduating and she's stuck with her sinking ship of a family. What Phoenix doesn't realize is that this summer is about to show her who she really is and what she's capable of.

The author did an amazing job of putting the reader in the shoes of a teenager who thinks she has everything figured out and finds out that her world is crumbling around her. Through her stubbornness, heart, and family upheaval, Phoenix will rise again with the help of her family and Callum. Who would have thought friendship and then love could come when you least expect it. Get ready to learn a hard lesson on love, trusting others, and what it truly means to be a family.

Trusting You & Other Lies is a coming of age summer love story.

Phoenix was expecting to spend her summer in California with her friends, but her parents decide to spend it on a family summer camp. Even though her little brother is thrilled by the idea, Phoenix isn’t the least bit excited to spend the entire summer away from her home, especially when she knows her parents are keeping huge secrets from her and her brother.

However, family summer camp isn’t what she expected from day one. It turns out to be a lot more fun, especially when she meets Callum, the head counselor who’s supposed to be training her. Callum is handsome, mysterious, funny and Phoenix can’t help developing feelings for him.

This book was funny, cute, touching and so much more than I expected. It’s everything I could want from a light, fluffy summertime read. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

My Thoughts:

Thank you to netgalley for the arc of the book on the kindle. That being said I was not a big fan of the book. I know other readers will love this book but I just could not get into it. The summer camp setting was a really great idea that I wish was better explored. The main character was not very interesting and I felt that dragged the story down.

Plot:
The plot was not very well thought out and made the book drag. The summer camp was a great plot device that I wished was better used. I liked the way the story revolved around the activities at the camp,

Characters:

Phoenix was a very annoying character who could have been better. I love her little brother Harry who made the story so exciting. I did not like her parents they were selfish and rude. Callum was also not very likable.

This book has everything for a realistic fiction YA reader! Romance, family angst, trust issues, future worries, and w/ the fun setting of "family camp" in Flagstaff, AZ! It was a laugh-out-loud and tug-at-your-heart-strings kinda read. Every YA reader will have something to relate to and won't want to put it down! Looking forward to reading more by this author!

I’m going to keep this one straight to the point, because I can’t think of much to say. I kind of sped through this book but didn’t really enjoy it much. The premise is that Phoenix, her parents, and her little brother (Harry) have been going through some rough times over the past two years. They’re invited by a friend to a family-oriented summer camp, so Phoenix takes a job as a counselor while her parents and brother participate in activities.

I feel like I was really grouchy while reading this book. Maybe I thought I was in the mood for it, forced myself to read it, and then didn’t enjoy it? I’m trying to put myself in the main character’s shoes and figure out if I would have had the same reactions or thoughts, and I just can’t do it.

What I liked: The setting was fun! I always enjoy a good summer camp book. Harry was a seriously adorable younger brother and I liked his character a lot. He was definitely mature for his age and super smart. The romance was okay (more on that later) and I didn’t hate it, so it’s worth mentioning in this space too. There were some decent family feels.

What I didn’t like: Ugh. The whole story was centered around ~trust issues~ and that’s a topic I honestly avoid usually. I think it’s because I personally give people a lot of chances and the benefit of the doubt, so it’s REALLY hard to get in the head of someone who is the complete opposite. One chance and that’s it; if you break it, you don’t get it back ever again no matter what. I know there are a lot of people who take that approach but I just can’t. Phoenix was incredibly hard to relate to in that way. Everything was related to trust for her. It seemed like a HUGE stretch, as if this author was tasked specifically for writing a book about trust and had to insert that word/topic into every page in order to meet the writing assignment’s requirements. She was an overdramatic character and all the trust issues invited a loooot of angst into the storyline. Her issues with her parents really weren’t that bad, in my opinion? There are many people who have much worse situations and she was very selfish. I think a lot of those characteristics were just part of her being a teenager, so I get that. I did kind of like Callum and Phoenix but their banter was forced and I didn’t enjoy it. (I feel like that’s the first time I’ve ever not enjoyed banter and somewhat hate-to-love.) I think it’s possible to have immediate connections to people but I didn’t buy it here.

A sweet, easy to read coming of age story. Phoenix in all her teenage angst. (Nicely portrayed. I wanted to smack her and hug her all at the same time. My usual response to seemingly moody, infuriating teenagers). What stands out with Phoenix though, is her basic need to be told the truth by her failing parents. She has single handedly taken on the role of fierce protector and champion of her 10 year old brother Harry, whilst her parents try to piece their family and lives back together at camp during summer break.

Instantly she meets Callum, a mysteriously handsome loner, a dont hold back, straight shooter who is all about camp life. Suddenly thrust in as his new trainee, Phoenix hopes Callum's serious no nonsense approach to camp life doesn't make this summer experience even worse then she she as been expecting.

I loved the characters, it made me even smile at the feeling that a good summer at camp can right all the wrongs, and set things straight. Because why not? If you are a natural born pessimist pass this book up! This author is all about a sweet Happy Ever After. And I enjoyed it.

Nicole William’s delivers a lighthearted coming-of-age story that is equal parts sweet and swoony. Trusting You and Other Lies is the perfect summer read!

Trusting You and Other Lies is pure YA goodness with a sweet, butterflies-in-the-tummy kind of romance!

TRUSTING YOU AND OTHER LIES by Nicole Williams was a light read for me. I enjoyed reading it, though there were a few things I just got bored or was annoyed by.

This book is all about trust. We have a girl, Phoenix, who discovered her parents are keeping this huge secret from her and her little brother. They set up all this plan to take them all into a family trip, but she knows it's just a way to distract them from the reality that's about to hit them right in their faces. So of course, she's developed some trust issues, because if you can't trust your parents to tell you the truth, who forces other to do that? Phoenix reluctantly embarks on this family trip and realises that it might not be as bad as she thought, as long as she stays away from her parents' way.

When I first started reading this book, I kind of understood Phoenix's frustration and anger towards her parents because should you be able to rely on them, right? They're supposed to protect you no matter what. But after I got more time to read and started to get to know her a bit better, she started sounding too whiney for my taste. I understand her situation was not the best, far from it, but I guess there are worst things in the world. She actually ended up sounding kind of like a brat more than anything else.

On the other hand, we have Callum who's as awesome as they get. He's the reason I enjoyed the book as much as I did. Him and Phoenix's little brother. Callum is the kind of guy that earns your trust and makes you earn his. It's not easy, but once you have it, it's there, always. I loved his way of thinking and living. He's simple and knows the difference between rights and wrongs. He understands mistakes but has no room for them. I found I could relate more to him than I could with Phoenix.

If you're looking to have a light read, you might want to check this one, I mean, I enjoyed it, but it left me with a couple of loose ends I couldn't shake off.

Phoenix takes after her namesake and rises from the ashes in this story. At the beginning of summer she is angry and unhappy with her parents and decisions they have made. She feels a huge burden of having to be responsible and look after herself and her brother since she doesn't get the support from her parents. Trust is a huge issue for Phoenix and she doesn't trust easily. There's financial issues at home but her dad got them into a camp for the summer for free through his friend who is also the owner of the camp. She is not happy to be going but she ends up making the best of it and learning so much over the course of her stay at camp and being a new counselor. Her trainer is Callum, who is strict and serious about his job. Over time she comes to see behind his mask and together, through the many ups and downs, they leave the summer better people and with bright futures. Very sweet story and the character development was great! Also the family bonding and rebuilding was great to read about!

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

This is exactly the kind of "sweet" book I like to read. Despite it being a YA book I related a lot to both the story and the characters.

It's a great light read and I definitely recommend it! I love coming-of-age romances, but not all of them are good as Trusting You & Other Lies and I'm really glad I read it!

Phoenix was a great characters and we can see how she grew up over summer. Callum is my kind of guy and I have a crush on him for sure! I also LOVED Harry, he might be my favorite character in the story.

This is a story about two birds, a Phoenix and a Dove. In reality it is a book about Phoenix and Callum. Phoenix is a Junior in high school who is being shipped to a family summer camp to have a "relaxing" summer with her family who is barely speaking to each other. Callum is a junior also and one of the camp counselors who is in charge of training Phoenix. Can Phoenix's family overcome their issues and be a family again? Will Phoenix and Callum become more than coworkers? Read this book and find out. This book is quick moving and has a great story. I read it in one day!

3.5 Solid Stars!
This was a quick and lighthearted read. A good change of pace for me. I have enjoyed this author’s writing and this book was no exception. Sometimes you just need a YA book to remind you of what first love is all about. This book fit the bill.

Sweet, witty and unexpectedly tugs on the heart strings. Just like the book itself, the characters have a lot of layers and are more than meets the eye.

Nicole Williams is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She does such a good job writing different genres and I was so excited to get an early copy of this book. This book offers everything that reminds you about being a teenager: summer camp, first loves, and learning to cope with life around you. The main character in this book shows tremendous growth and I can't wait for others to read this book this summer!

Although there were a few moments in this book that caused me to suspend my disbelief, I still think this is a strong choice. I can already think of a market for this book, and I know it will circulate well in my library.

Let me start off by saying that I will reading anything Nicole Williams puts out, synopsis unread.
Knowing this, imagine my excitement when I saw this one up for request! It's been a while since I read a YA book by her so I couldn't wait.

Phoenix and her family plan to spend the summer at Camp Kismet, something she is definitely not happy about. Not to mention things with her family haven't been all that great so this is sort of a way for them to work through it all.
While I am obviously a fan of romance, and I was happy with finding love when you least expect it, I was actually more interested in the relationship with Phoenix and her parents. This was their way of working things out, to make things work and finally get back on track. I don't blame Phoenix for being reluctant.

Turns out working at a summer camp has it's ups and downs, mistakes are made, some that can prove to have serious consequences. But at the end of it all, it wasn't the terrible summer she thought she'd have. Doesn't hurt that she had Callum through it all and her little brother who always has her back.
Harry, the fun and loving 10 year old brother. I think the reason I adored him was because I also have one of my own. He was my favorite. Ever the optimist, he's all for this grand adventure.

One never knows what the future will bring, but with a little effort and a bit of trust, life might just surprise you.

Each one of Nicole's books hold a special place in my heart, not to mention her characters. I'll definitely read this one again.

*ARC provided by the publisher & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (THANK YOU!)*

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes the "this book is great for..." fans of certain other authors lines doesn't quite hit the mark, but this one is definitely on the mark for being great for fans of Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Perkins. Love both, and I really liked this book. It's a cute contemporary that still has some depth to it. Phoenix, our main character, grows a great deal over the course of the book and learns a lot about herself and her family. I loved the relationship between her and her little brother Harry. She's a wonderful and loving big sister. There's great character development here with her and also with the male love interest, Callum, the head counselor at the camp Phoenix is working at for the summer, while her family is there for a family camp. Callum, too, changes over the summer and grows as a person. The way the relationship builds between them was very believable and there's no insta-love (a big pet peeve of mine). The only thing that irked me a little was that it's supposed to be a family camp, but I didn't really get a sense of there being any other families there. There were kids and there were adults, but no connections were really drawn between the characters, and outside of a couple other counselors, the guy who runs the camp (Ben), and then Phoenix, her family, and Callum, we learn very little about anyone else. I would have liked to get a sense of at least a couple key families, as it just came off a little odd that her whole family was there but no others seemed to be part of a family. Otherwise, I did really enjoy it and it's going to be a great summer read when it comes out in June of 2017.

At first I found it somewhat slow paced Even do the story developed fast and we didn't have to wait long for the characters to interact with each other, I'm talking about the leads. It still felt slow paced for me. I wish for the romance to be more interesting. Yes I had a few laughs but it didn't give me chills. For me a romance doesn't have to have sex scenes to give me chills, it could be words or actions to give me those chills and this romance lack that.

The female lead was so moody all the time I understood the family problems she had but she took everything so hard and sometimes her attitude and the way she saw things made her misunderstood some situations.

I found her interactions with her brother more entertaining.

I just wished the romance was more exciting.

I did not finish this book. I could not engage with the story or characters.